Running 9 and Feeling Fine

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Katherine Swanson

Happy Sunday. Today I went for an amazing 9 mile run. I was a bit worried leaving the house because my 8 mile run wasn’t my favorite but I rocked 9 miles. The only minuses were some cramps at mile 4 and 5. The entire second half was pretty much uphill and I ran the second half FASTER than I ran the first half. Thank you “Power” for coming on as I charged up a hill.

Pre run I snacked on this lovely platter which included apple with Cinn, bagel chips and fancy pants brie from Cookbook in Echo Park, plus carrots and pretzel thins with hummus.

As I was running I thought about how wonderful running truly is. I was in a terrible mood before I went out on my run but afterwords I felt almost amazing. Running is my aspirin and my prozac. I literally don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t run. Running makes life melt away around me and I love it for that. I think I’m running towards solutions and mental wellness. What are you running towards?

Holy “Fig”gen’ Yum!

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Katherine Swanson

Yesterday while I was at the farmers market I was able to snag something delicious: figs! Did I use them for lunch today? Abso-“figgen”-lutely. Did I come up with a bunch of fig puns? Fig yeah! Ok, I promise that the fig puns end here.

I decided to make an open face sandwich inspired by crouqe monsieur. I toasted a slice of Ezekiel bread. Then I spread Dijon mustard on the slice and topped it with sliced figs, prosciutto, and Gruyere cheese. I baked it at 400 for another 4 mins and then I turned on the broiler for the last 4 mins.

Sweet and salty with slightly browned cheese. Oh my goodness do I love me some figs. Fan-figgen-tastic! OK, that’s the last one.

Post figs I went on a run. I planned to run for 8 miles but I got a little bit lost on side streets and ended up going for 8.6 miles. I managed to maintain a pretty good pace though out my run. Every time I got tired I thought about my form. Afterward I had a chocolate milk! Great recovery drink! Its going to be my go to in the future. I stretched it out and then parked it on the couch with an ice pack. So far I have kept up with all the long runs I have planned and I haven’t walked once.

Hope everyone is enjoying a great labor day! I’m clearly going to eat more figs.

Short Announcement

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Katherine Swanson

You know how I blogged a while ago about my frustration with always weighing over 140lbs? Well, if you don’t you can read “Me Against 140”. In the post I announced that I wanted to beat 140 lbs before my birthday (August 15th). When I went to the doctor about one month ago she informed me that I was 140 (this also tipped me to the fact that my scale weighs a bit heavy). Well, today I stepped on the scale and it read 139.2. You heard it here first people! 139.2! I even weighed myself twice to make sure it wasn’t a mirage. I did not eat a cupcake in celebration- which is a major accomplishment for me. But I was excited enough to go to yoga. Love love love that this weight is still coming off. Thanks for all the support!

Sunday Run Day

Posted on August 8, 2010 by Katherine Swanson

Hey Everyone!

We all know that Sunday is Run Day for me. Before going out on my run I ate a quick breakfast:

With a side of fruit:

Then I headed out on a 6 mile run. I wasn’t sure how it would go because I went out last night and had a Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned, a Whiskey Sour and a Whiskey Smash (like a Whiskey mojito). It was a major Whiskey night. I was slightly hung over, but not too bad. Mostly just thirsty.

The run went pretty well. It was nice to tune out from life for a while and just run. I was still able to sprint at the end which is nice. My feet kinda hurt. Word to the wise, always wear running socks. Came home and beasted these leftovers:

And I am still hungry. I think it might be small amount of peanut butter time…

6 Mile Sunday

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Katherine Swanson

Happy end of the weekend! Per my plan I woke up this am and ran 6 miles. It actually ended up being about 6.2 per mapmyrun.com.

Before going out I fueled with coffee, water, and a larabar:

I love larabar’s because the ingredient list is short!

Can’t argue with that!

My run was good. I love looking at houses when I run and today my route took me through a neighborhood with some good ones like…

The Playboy Mansion. Source.

The Spelling Home. Source.

Not a bad neighborhood, right? I love running by ritzy homes!

After I got back I immediately stretched and ate.

I also had hummus bread. It was good to eat right after running! Happy Sunday!

Blogger Fail

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Katherine Swanson

Sorry gang, today was a blog fail. I took this picture of onions with the expectation of blogging the actual meal.

After I took this picture of onions I forgot to take more. What can I say? It was a blog fail. I will say that it was whole wheat pasta with goat cheese, prosciutto, red onions, and broccoli.

Earlier today I posted my training plan for the 1/2 Marathon. Read about it here. I mostly plan to run like I normally do, get to yoga once a week and do a longer run on the weekend.

Also, in other important news: I changed a light bulb all by myself. This may seem like a small task but I have been putting off changing the light bulbs until a tall male is in my house because hey, that’s what they’re there for. All my lights were out except for two (one of which was the bathroom) and it went out on Tuesday. There is no natural light in that part of my apartment and I toughed it out for several days but yesterday I had to face facts and do it myself.

Success! Moral of the story? Sometimes you have to be a woman and take care of business yourself. Ah, the milestones you experience living along.

Workouts

Posted on July 24, 2010 by Katherine Swanson

I finally put something on my workouts page! Check it out to hear about which races I’m doing and how I’m prepping for them.

Assembly Required

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Katherine Swanson

Today’s lunch required some assembly…

Don’t you just love leftovers? It makes lunch so much easier. I just had to slice some tomato this morning and I was all ready for work. I noticed that I had gotten into buying my lunch far too often. This way I can save money and have something delicious to eat.

Ezekiel bread, goat cheese, tomato, and leftover salmon cakes. The salmon cakes made for a delightful and very hearty sandwich.

Much better than the typical wheat sandwich that I’ve been getting weekly with stale bread.

After work I ran 5 miles! I haven’t started 1/2 marathon training yet, but I’m feeling pretty confident about it. All a 1/2 marathon really is is the loop that I typically run about three times. I can’t do it right now, but if I work on upping my mileage and taking it slow I should be able to do it.

For dinner I had whole wheat pasta with broccoli, red onion and goat cheese. The recipe calls for ricotta but I really don’t like ricotta (its the only cheese I don’t love). Goat cheese was a wonderful substitute.

Yep, it was a hungry girl portion…

I deserve it after the long run. Tomorrow’s dinner will be a major treat! I am finally checking out Taste which I have heard is amazing. Can’t wait!

Set Your Intention

Posted on July 16, 2010 by Katherine Swanson

You know what my favorite part of yoga is? Setting your intention for the practice. It always helps me get in the right mentality for the practice and sort things out. Here is what I sorted out today:

In life there are very few things we can control. When I let go of the desire to control the world around me I feel at peace.
Everyday we all do the best we can with what we have. I’m human, not super human.
Letting go of control allows me to let go of worrying.
Worrying does not equal control. So, then, why are we worried again?
I am so grateful for the beautiful city that I live in!

I snapped this shot as I was leaving yoga. How pretty is my city?

The light!

Yoga helps me see the beauty in every day. I am so grateful for it today.

Anyway, after yoga I got take away from California Roll Factory which has two locations: Beverly Hills and West LA. I hit the West LA location for some sushi take out. I just didn’t have it in my to make another “no sink” meal. And I am so glad I did because I came home to this:

HOT KITCHEN MESS YA’LL! The sink is being worked on… still being worked on? The cabinets were open when I got home, there was no note… I’m unsure if I can use the sink so I was very happy I had take away. Izzy seemed completely traumatized. Don’t worry she got some party mix for her troubles.

Then I got into my sushi… I got fresh water eel roll and shrimp tempura roll.

So glad I satisfied my sushi craving. Sometimes you just take to take it easy and get take out. This is life.

-Left Coast

Run Around

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Katherine Swanson

Today was my first day back at running because post race running just didn’t happen this week. Despite my proclamation a few weeks ago, June gloom didn’t actually lift until yesterday. Thus it has been much hotter! With sun in the AM temps go up. When I went for my usual late run it was still in the 70’s which, according to Runners World will seriously slow down and stress your run. It was hard. I took a couple breaks at stop lights and tried to take it slow but it was not easy. Whatever, it happens.

Then I came home and made dinner which was boring.

Clearly I have become complacent… I think I have to go back to meal planning which I have fallen off of since, ummm, finals? Literally, yesterday I was trying to think of a good, unique dinner that I made recently and I can’t think of one. Sad. I will resolve to be better.